[Marla500]

recently I had a really low period, and I know you can't always see it coming because there is not always a decipherable reason for it, but in this case I should have been able to-work got insanely stressful for a few weeks and I had a lot of other stuff to deal with back to back. I should have known it was coming, and instead I just made it worse by drinking way too much coffee and eating junk food. things just about came to a grinding halt. so I am wondering, if journaling could help with this? if so, what do you keep track of? I know it sounds so, so simple but I've never really journaled too much before and I was wondering if there was a way to keep track of things to help see low periods coming. maybe I'm not in touch with my feelings? I probably dont want to be really, just brings back bad memories I don't want to deal with. thank you in advance for reading and for any suggestions.

[doyoutrustme]

I think journaling is beneficial for a lot of things but it doesn't at all stop an episode. Not for me at least...

[ScathachWarrior]

Journaling has helped me a lot with my depression.
Sometimes I feel like the thoughts are swimming in my head and I'll explode. Even though seeing my pen form the words, it helps me clear my head. It'll calm me down and oftentimes keeps me from crying before bed. Also, it's difficult for me to talk about it with my friends, extremely difficult. I have found it's help me to open up. Once I figured out how to put the words together I began to get comfortable talking about it with friends.
Hope that helps

[Marla500]

that makes sense, if you can get it sorted out it is easier to put into words. also it does seem like writing would help with focus and have a calming effect. thank you both for your responses!

[catsrhelm]

Journaling has helped me, but mood monitoring might be better for someone trying to prevent a depression. I tried mood monitoring, but all that showed me was there was no rhyme nor reason to my depression.

[dg1983]

Journalling helped me a bit, when I would actually take the time to do it. I would Dona mood journal and write down the situation that made me feel sad,upset,etc.-the who what when of it, then in the next column I would rate the level of the emotion, and the next column would be the self-talk/automatic thoughts and then I would write what did I do...

It helped me become more aware of how my inner thoughts would affect how I dealt with situations, and try to challenge the negative self talk that I do by actually seeing it in writing. Some journal entries triggered painful memories, but for me it helped me to move forward a bit.

[newlifeyeah]

I think it helps a lot. The more feelings you are able to put into words, the less they're going to hurt.